Higher Education Periodical Brings Up DREAM Act

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In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students: Not Quite Yet

Congress likely to hold legislation for inclusion in larger package on immigration
Chronicle of Higher Education  -  May 8, 2009
By Megan Eckstein

Washington

Members of Congress are gearing up for a battle over educational benefits for undocumented students.

At issue is the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, or Dream, Act, which would allow states to charge illegal immigrants in-state tuition and would provide a multistep path to citizenship for some residents who were brought to the United States illegally as children...

The Bill's Status

As of now, it is unclear whether the bill will be considered on its own or wrapped into a broader immigration package.

The Senate's bill has been referred to the Judiciary Committee, which last week discussed how to approach comprehensive immigration reform. A Senate staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity because key committees hadn't yet taken official stances on the Dream Act, said it would be difficult for Congress to take up a small piece of immigration legislation without it "snowballing into a larger discussion on comprehensive immigration reform."

The Democratic strategy could become clearer in the next couple of months, after a planned immigration summit by Mr. Obama, said Ms. Fisseha. If a broader package fails, Congress could still try to take up the measure as a stand-alone.

"If, as we try to pursue comprehensive immigration reform, we cannot get this simple element done, I'm not sure what we can" do, said Senator Menendez at the news conference. "This should be the most fundamental of all of the immigration-related issues." link to complete article

http://chronicle.com
Section: Government & Politics
Volume 55, Issue 35, Page A19